NHS can deny abortions to women from Northern Ireland as appeal rejected

The Supreme Court has narrowly rejected an appeal demanding that women in Northern Ireland should receive free abortion services on the NHS in England.

A woman and her mother, known as A and B, had brought the Supreme Court appeal. The court rejected it by three to two. A and B could now take the case to the Court of Human Rights.

The daughter, A, was 15 in October 2012 when she travelled from Northern Ireland to Manchester to access an abortion. She was refused free treatment on the NHS and ordered to pay hundreds of pounds for a private termination.

Abortion is only legal there if a woman’s life is in danger or if there is a permanent or serious risk to her mental or physical health.

In practice, the law makes doctors wary of performing abortions in all circumstances.

“We’ve had the 1967 Act for 50 years,” said Laura. “But women in NI haven’t had the same rights.”

Activists have called a protest against the DUP on Saturday 24 June in central London. It’s crucial that ordinary people mobilise to defend and extend abortion rights.

Women’s protest against the DUP – assemble 12 noon, Saturday 24 June, Parliament Square for a march to Downing Street. Go to abortionrights.org.uk to get involved with campaignin

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